Thousands arrived at Soldier Field on Aug. 5 for open practice, only for event to be canceled

August 27, 2011|By Colleen Mastony, Tribune reporter

The Chicago Bears issued a final mea culpa this week regarding the botched handling of Family Fest, saying they would give free fest tickets next year to those fans who had been left standing at the gates of Soldier Field — many with crying children — and told only at the last minute that the Aug. 5 event had been canceled.

The gesture is offered with the hope of assuring fans that "we care," said Bears spokesman Scott Hagel.

"We certainly understand the sacrifices people made to join us that evening, whether it was fighting traffic or getting the family all together," Hagel said. "We want to make this right and show that we appreciate their support."

More than 10,000 fans had bought tickets for Family Fest, an annual event that features a practice session and family-friendly entertainment.

Most paid $8 for tickets, fought Lollapalooza traffic, shelled out $16 to $19 for parking and were standing at the gates — which were set to open at 5 p.m. — when they found out via loudspeaker shortly after 6 p.m. that the event had been canceled.

The extreme heat of August had caused the seams of the grass field to separate, a condition apparently worsened by inadequate watering and deemed unsafe by the Bears. The players then boarded a bus back to their regular training camp in Bourbonnais without appearing publicly.

Ticketmaster issued refunds, parking fees were returned, a fireworks show went off as planned and free food was offered inside the stadium. But the botched handling of the event set off a firestorm of criticism.

On Friday, fans said they were pleased with the gesture, even if it didn't entirely make up for the inconvenience of the night.

Dawn Donnelli, 28, who spent five hours driving from Peoria before being turned away at the gates, said her children, ages 6 and 3, now associate the Bears with disappointment. "Any time we've watched the preseason games, my kids say: 'Oh, the Bears. We didn't even get to see them,'" she said.

Despite any lingering frustration, many said they planned to attend next year's event.

Mike Garza, 28, of Tinley Park, said he would bring his two children next summer. His parents raised him as a Bears fan, and he is now passing the tradition to the next generation. "It's what my family does."